Want to look confident when you speak? It's all in the eyebrows
Researchers at the University of Glasgow found that facial expressions, specifically raised eyebrows and slow blinks, significantly influence how confident a speaker is perceived to be. The study used computer-generated avatars to isolate these non-verbal cues across different cultural groups.
Why it matters
Understanding non-verbal communication cues can improve public speaking effectiveness and cross-cultural interaction.
Image source, University of Glasgow Image caption, Expressive, raised eyebrows were the favoured expression for making the audience believe in what the computer-generated speaker was saying
Want to sound more confident? Researchers at the University of Glasgow say your audience may be paying as much attention to your eyebrows as your words.
A study of facial movements found that subtle changes around the eyes and brows can have a significant impact on how confident a speaker appears to listeners.
The team created computer-generated speakers and varied their facial movements while keeping their spoken words and vocal tone consistent.
Participants from Western European and East Asian cultures then rated how confident the speakers appeared. Across both groups, raised eyebrows and a slow blink were consistently linked with greater confidence.
By contrast, lowered brows and narrowed eyes were associated with doubt or a lack of confidence.
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